What do you do when you want to go on holiday and can’t stop thinking about … the plants on the balcony or backyard that will remain unwatered for as long as you are away? How can your plants be watered while you are on vacation? In an era dominated by fear and mistrust the solution to trust the key to a distant relative, friend or even friendly neighbor does not seem to be the most appropriate … Neither, of course, you can let your plants meet their fate, they are living organisms that have needs and before doing something like that you should put yourself in their place and ask if you would like to have such treatment. Here are some practical tips to keep your plants in good condition for as long as you are away, without having to bother someone, or worry about in what hands you might have left the keys of your house.
- The classic automatic watering
The most appropriate solution is the automatic watering device. Of course the installation requires not only a cost, but also to have the water supply turned on while you are away, which is not suitable for long-term absences. With automatic watering, however, there is no need to worry for your plants, as long as you have set the timers and have made sure before you leave that the system operates as expected without your presence.
- Self-serviced pots
The self-watered pots are another option, especially for plants that are very sensitive and poorly maintained without water. Such devices are available in several versions on the market. All you have to do is to leave a supply of water sufficient to for a few weeks. You must first make sure the device is working for the type of soil you are using. The soil should be at a moderate density.
- The solution of the tub
Put your most delicate plants in the bathtub. If you are away for vacation just for a few days, it is sufficient to water your plants well and then cover them with some plastic bag (open up some holes), in order to maintain the humidity. If your absence is longer fill the tub (2-3 cm height) with water and place the pots there, preferably on a stand, a frame, etc., to keep everything cool.
- Plastic bag
Some more resistant plants can be maintained sufficiently by covering them completely with a plastic bag. You only have to open up some holes for the plant to breathe and not leave it exposed to direct sunlight, or it will be destroyed due to high temperature.
- Protection from the sun
Put most of your plants in places where there is no sun to in order for them to need less water when watered. The basement is ideal as long as you have space, because it is cool and it has less light. A plant that has less water available needs to be kept at a lower temperature.
- Beware … foreign hands
If you decide that while you are on vacation you can trust the keys to a person of absolute confidence, you should know that they probably have the habit of over-watering your plants… because they do not want to leave them uncared for until their next visit (which probably they do not know when it will take place). Overwatering on some susceptible plants has exactly the same effect as if they had not been watered at all.
- Delivery to friends
There is a solution that requires some more fatigue, but is advisable. Move your plants or, anyway, those that they have a greater sensitivity in a friend’s house to take care of them along with their own. So not only you don’t have to give them the keys to your house, but also you save them from the hassle of visiting your home every so often.